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[speaker monkey]

Hey All,

Im new to this forum and to the world of remote control, please be kind.  I am really interested in making my own remote control boat that uses a diesel engine.  I tried to do a bit of research before I posted and generally all I could find was talk about old real diesel boats or replicating diesel boat sounds.  It certainly doesn't seem to be the done thing.  I can already hear the responses to why I shouldn't persue this route: expensive (the cheapest engine I could find was still over £100) + fuel, difficult, smelly, dirty, polluting, less torque options, dangerous, unrelaiable & unnecessary,  However these reasons are yet to deter me (some even do the opposite).  I'm a speaker builder by trade so I am no stranger to the careful, fiddly & hands on design and I used to build non-RC models when I was a kid.  Plus I relish a challenge and the design and build is where I will get my kick.  Building an off the shelf kit has no attraction to me although I am sure it will give me a good grounding with what its all about.

"A speaker builder?" you say "surely you would be more at home trying an ellectrically powered one?"  True, however I always feel that the world of electronics is a bit impersonal and I prefer getting my hands dirty in other ways.

Aaanyway, what I am really asking is for some direction / advice / links / discussion on where I can get started with this, as I said before there seems to be a bit of a dearth of info on this subject.

All the best

monkey

[Shipmate60]

One of the biggest drawbacks is the limited ponds that allow IC Models now.
It will depend where you are and any IC friendly water at a reasonable distance from you.

Bob

[john s 2]

A look on Flea Bay model boats will result in finding some Diesal engines of the sixties and seventies. As already said please make sure that you have got a sailing site that allows i/c. Once youve got the knack of starting them they are ok but of course not as good as modern glow plugs etc. Have fun John.

[CGAux26]

There is a column in Model Boats magazine (UK) that talked about old model diesel engines recently. 

[rmaddock]

Hello Monkey 

I suspect that part of the problem is that diesel is out of fashion in modelling.....or at least rather niche...certainly in planes.

If yu want a diesel model, then build one! I'd have thought the whole point of this hobby was to produce what you want....not what the committee tell you would be sensible  .

[Martin (Admin)]

Hi Monkey!

Diesel powered boats are quite uncommon these days but don't let that put you off.

 A couple of questions;

 1. Have you bought the Diesel engine yet?
 2. What type of boat are you thinking of. speed boat, tug, merchant man, pleasure/leisure craft etc?
 3. What size boat will it be?
 

[nhp651]

go for it.........there are too many knockers of IC powered boats......we still sail them at Fleetwood lake and they are openly encouraged by some (not by others..and these "others" are usually the "oldies" that cut their teath on them many moons ago...lest they forget.
If that is what you want to do....then do it and enjoy it. .
neil.

[Circlip]

Nothing quite like the sting of Ether in a cut or the softening (And three day stench) of Castor Oil on the hands. Can you still get Esso Blee from the Dooler????

  An ED Hunter (Or a lowly [?] Racer) will make an old 34" Fire tender sit up like a hydro. The noise nannies tried to kill I/C power on Park Lakes, fully agree with banning "Glows" and Strimmer motors, but the goood old sub 10K unsilenced diesels?

   Even Lecky motors make more noise now.


     Regards   Ian.

[More Coffee]

Go for it,hey why not.Its different

One thing though,If your going to do it .Make sure you get or have a fly-wheel, Disel being torquey..the low rpm's will make it pulse and run rough without said flywheel.

[speaker monkey]

Hi Monkey!

Diesel powered boats are quite uncommon these days but don't let that put you off.

 A couple of questions;

 1. Have you bought the Diesel engine yet?
 2. What type of boat are you thinking of. speed boat, tug, merchant man, pleasure/leisure craft etc?
 3. What size boat will it be?
 

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the encouragement!  Yer, lakes may be a problem, there are a few quiet ones around but don't want to be getting in too much trouble.  I am based around the Gatwick area, anyone know of any lakes in Surrey or Sussex that would have me?

In answer to your questions:
1. No, not yet, still need to do quite a bit of research & I don't want to be spending £150 on the wrong motor.
2. Whatever works best really. Not after a slimline speeder but wouldn't really want a stocky barge either.  I may go for one of the old SS steam greats.
3. Thinking anything between 0.5 - 1m, as I said, whatever works best.

[Bill D203]

IC is welcome at Stevenage. In fact one of our members ran one yesterday.  All good stuff and alot of fun. Go for it.
Neil when can i come to fleetwood to run my Honda powered Arin ?

[speaker monkey]

Thanks guys.

I recently bought Model Power Boats by Norman G. Taylor.  I am about half way through it now, really interesting stuff and lots to take on.  It was written 50 years ago so some of the technology based topics are a bit outdated but the physics stays the same (it smells good too).  Converting imperial to metric is a bit of a challenge.  So watch this space!!

monkey

[ACTion]

I had to chuckle quietly thinking about IC engines being banned for noise issues near Gatwick....................
It looks very much as if these guys still make their very serviceable diesel engines and may even be able to supply suitable flywheels and water-jackets for them. http://www.eifflaender.com/index.htm
We used to sell hundreds of 149s and 19Ds in Pegasus Models Shop, Nottingham for control-line combat, back in the early 70s. They weren't as competitive as Olivers but only cost about a third the price of a Olly Tiger or an ETA. The ball-raced versions seemed to last forever.
Dave M

[Tug Fanatic]

PAW display every year at the BMFA model flying nationals. They are lovely engines & can be had with a throttle & silencers which work - not common for a diesel.

[irishcarguy]

You know what Dave I had a modified oliver in A class a team racer that did 103.5 mph.The name of the model was Miss FAI & was designed by a Swede. The Olly was a beautiful motor, smooth & lots of power. I also had an ETA & 2 ED 246's an ED bee & several  Mercurys from 1cc to 3.5cc that I bought at 308 Hollaway Rd. from I think Henry J Nicolls. He was great to do business with a bit like you.I also bought my planes from him & all my bits & pieces.Mick B.